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The Coward by Norman Rockwell

April 10, 1919 Issue of Life Magazine



The Coward, this Norman Rockwell painting, appeared on the cover of Life Magazine published April 10, 1919.

An alternate title for this illustration is Girl Kissing Soldier.

This was the sixteenth cover by Rockwell to appear on Life Magazine. A Rockwell painting appeared only twice on Life magazine's cover in 1920 and twenty-eight times in all.

The Coward

Here we see more of Norman Rockwell's famous sense of humor and irony. Even the title is funny.

Rockwell has depicted an American soldier returning home from World War One. Armed hostilities had completely ceased by April 1919. Many of the soldiers had arrived back home by the publication date.

This soldier wears many medals. He has been decorated for heroism. He has earned three stripes on his sleeve. He carries a cane, so he may have been wounded.

This young man is certainly no coward.

And yet, when this young lady tries to kiss him, he looks surprised, startled and, yes, even frightened. We do not know if he has met the young lady before. His expression signals us that he was not expecting her kiss.

Why, he even dropped his cane and cap!

The young lady was dressed in her best. Dressed to the nines! So she was hoping to kiss someone. The belt on her coat has flown behind her and is now settling. This suggests that she ran up to him and threw her arms around him.

Well, the boys are back home.

Norman Rockwell Sailor Dreaming of Girlfriend
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Sailor Dreaming of Girlfriend
Norman Rockwell World War One Soldier Marching with Children
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World War One Soldier Marching with Children
Norman Rockwell Courting Couple at Midnight
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Courting Couple at Midnight



Norman Rockwell The Party Favor
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The Party Favor
Norman Rockwell The Valedictorian
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The Valedictorian
Norman Rockwell Boys Playing Leapfrog
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Boys Playing Leapfrog



Norman Rockwell Boy Chasing Dog With Pants
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Boy Chasing Dog With Pants
Norman Rockwell Boy Asleep With Hoe
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Boy Asleep With Hoe
Norman Rockwell Man Leaving Work to Go Golfing
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Man Leaving Work to Go Golfing



Norman Rockwell Boy on Stilts
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Boy on Stilts
Norman Rockwell Grandfather and Snowman
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Grandfather and Snowman


The Coward by Norman Rockwell appeared on Life Magazine cover April 10, 1919

Norman Rockwell's The Coward (1919)
Copyright © 1919 Life Magazine

See Them All!
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  Norman Rockwell's Goodbye Little French Mother from the March 13, 1919 Life Magazine cover
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Goodbye Little French Mother
Norman Rockwell's The Wallflower from the January 8, 1920 Life Magazine cover
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The Wallflower
 


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Norman Rockwell Christmas and Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving Galleries are open.

Norman Rockwell's painting, A Drum for Tommy or Santa with Drum, appeared on the cover of The Country Gentleman on 12/17/1921
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